Being a witness: testifying in court.

* Richard Steinecke practises health law in Toronto and is the author of a book entitled A Complete Guide to the Regulated Health Professions Act which was published by Canada Law Book in July 1995. This article is not intended to provide legal advice. Please speak to your lawyer before using this information in any particular case. Maria took Anna for a drink after they had both testified. Maria had testified as an independent expert witness, while Anna had given evidence about the treatment she had rendered to the patient. Both had been asked to testify by the same lawyer. Anna complained, “What a vicious, vicious experience. That cross-examination was brutal. How dare that lawyer suggest that I was lying. You looked really cool under pressure, Maria, especially when the lawyer questioned you about your qualifications. You must have felt terribly insulted?” “Not at all” Maria replied, “I fully expected that to happen. I made a special effort to be neutral and fair to both sides and that made me feel comfortable during the cross-examination.” Anna thought for a while and said, “That is where I went wrong. I was trying to help my patient and said things that I could not really defend. Next time, I’m going to do it differently.”